Urinal target system

ABSTRACT

A urinal target system provides a target to improve the aim of a person as they urinate. The target system is customizable, in that, the optional addition of graphics on the target makes it more fun to hit the target. For example, one might use a picture of a political person, a boss or a family member, thereby providing entertainment value while also providing an interesting target that will improve a person&#39;s aim. The urinal target system has an optional score output such as a display, lamp or speaker. The score output displays a score for the person urinating that a function of the length of time that the target is hit and/or the pressure exerted on the target, so a person with good aim is more likely to achieve a higher score than one with bad aim.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of toilet fixtures and moreparticularly to a system for improving sanitation in the vicinity of thetoilet fixtures.

BACKGROUND

An emission of urine from animals creates a breading ground for odor andbacteria. Although urine is a sterile fluid as it leaves the body ofmost animals, due to its temperature and composition, it quickly becomesa breading ground for bacteria and odor.

An efficient system has been introduced to most of the world'spopulation to safely dispose of urine. At the terminus of such a systemis typically a sewerage treatment plant that processes effluent,including the urine, in a safe manner. At the start of the system is afixture such as a flush toilet or wall-urinal. After urination, thefixture is typically flushed with fresh water to wash the urine throughplumbing and eventually to the sewerage treatment plant.

Although humans can sit on a toilet fixture to urinate, particularly forthe male human, urination is often performed while standing. Thisprovides for a more efficient, less time consuming process, but, due tothe distance between the source of the urine and the fixture, thisprocess often results in over spray due to splashing, bad aim orcarelessness, resulting in urine landing on surfaces of the fixturesthat do not get rinsed with water during the flushing operation.Furthermore, in some situations, the lack of aim results in urine onsurfaces around the fixture such as walls or floors. Once urine isallowed onto these surfaces, the urine starts to grow bacteria, createan odor and stain the surfaces, particularly grout between tiles. Thebacteria, odor and stain are large problems, especially with regard topublic bathrooms where there is often a lack of regard or care in aimingcorrectly, possibly because the urinator is not in charge of cleaning upafter themselves.

It has long been known to place target decals in a toilet bowl or urinalto help some with their aim. In general, such targets are decals orprinting of a specific artwork, typically representing a target bullseye. Although these devices provide a target at which to aim, they soonbecome boring and are quickly ignored.

What is needed is a urinal target system that will improve thelikelihood that a male unrinator will correctly aim, thereby reducingurine deposits around the toilet/urinal.

SUMMARY

A urinal target system is disclosed having a target area and an optionalscore board. The target area is customizable, in that, an image isembedded or attached to in the target area to make it more fun to hitthe target. For example, one might use a picture of a political person,a boss, sports team logo or a family member, thereby providingentertainment value while also providing an interesting target that willimprove the chances of hitting the target and missing the surroundingwalls and floors. The urinal target system has an optional score boardthat adds an element of competition and achievement. The score boarddisplays a score for the urinator that is proportional to the length oftime that the target is hit and the pressure exerted on the target, so aurinator with good aim is more likely to achieve a higher score than onewith bad aim.

In one embodiment, a urinal target system is disclosed including a basemember having at least a back wall and a cover member. The cover memberhas at least a front wall, is movably interfaced to the base member, andis urged away from the base member by a resilient member such that aflow of urine applies a force to the front wall of the cover memberthereby the force counteracts the spring, moving the front wall of thecover member closer to the back wall of the base member. A targetgraphics is placed on an outside surface of the front wall of the covermember whereas the base member is interfaced to a wall of a toiletand/or urinal and the target graphics is a target for a personurinating.

In another embodiment, a method of improving aim of a person that isurinating is disclosed including the steps of (a) directing the flow ofthe urine towards a target graphics that is an outside surface of aurinal target system. The urinal target system has a base member with atleast a back wall and a cover member with at least a front wall. Thecover member is movably interfaced to the base member and is urged awayfrom the base member by a spring such that a flow of urine applying aforce to an outside surface of the front wall of the cover membercounteracts the spring, moving the front wall of the cover member closerto the back wall of the base member. A sensor is coupled to the urinaltarget system such that the sensor detects the force from the flow ofthe urine and converts the force into an electrical signal, theelectrical signal being proportional to the force of the flow of theurine. A processor (or electronic circuit) is interfaced to the sensorsuch that the processor receives the electrical signal. (b) Softwarerunning on the processor calculates a score value that is a function ofthe force of the flow of the urine. (c) The software running on theprocessor displaying the score value on a display that is electricallyinterfaced to the processor. (d) After the flow of urine abates, thesoftware running on the processor delays for a period of time, and thenblanks the display.

In another embodiment, a target system is disclosed including a targetgraphics and a device for supporting the target graphics and/orelectronics away from a wall of a toilet. The target system includes adevice for measuring a force from a flow of urine applied as the flow isapplied to the device for supporting the target graphics. The device forsupporting is interfaced to the wall of the toilet/urinal and the targetgraphics is a target for a person urinating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill inthe art by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary target circuit.

FIG. 2A illustrates a cut-away view of internal components of anexemplary target system.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front plan view of the exemplary target system.

FIG. 2C illustrates a side plan view of the exemplary target systemmounted to a urinal with covered target art work.

FIG. 2D illustrates a side plan view of the exemplary target systemmounted to a urinal with external art work.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a typical target systemcontroller.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of a typical target system.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of an order, delivery anddevelopment of the typical target system.

FIG. 6A illustrates a cut-away view showing internal components of asecond exemplary target system.

FIG. 6B illustrates a front plan view of the second exemplary targetsystem.

FIG. 6C illustrates a side plan view of the second exemplary targetsystem mounted to the inside surface of a toilet bowl with coveredtarget art work.

FIG. 6D illustrates a side plan view of the second exemplary targetsystem mounted to the inside surface of a toilet bowl with external artwork.

FIG. 7 illustrates a printed label of a typical target system.

FIG. 8A illustrates a side cut-away view showing internal components ofa third exemplary target system.

FIG. 8B illustrates a front plan view of the third exemplary targetsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description,the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view of a typical urinal target system5 will be described. Although shown as a micro-controller-based system5, it is anticipated that, in some embodiments, the urinal target system5 is fabricated from other electronic components without the use of aprocessor 100. The processor 100 is any processor or micro-controller,as known in the industry. An exemplary micro-controller system 5 isshown in FIG. 3. It is preferred that the micro-controller 100 be alow-power device to consume as little battery power as possible. It isalso preferred, though not required, that the micro-controller 100 haveinternal storage, both persistent storage and random access memory toreduce power consumption, cost and real estate consumption. In someembodiment, a reset switch 60 is interfaced to the micro-controller 100as known in the industry, though the urinal target system 5 need onlyreset when the battery 90 is initially connected, as known in theindustry.

The micro-controller 100 and other circuitry 10/60/40/30 is powered by abattery 90. Power from the battery 90 is regulated by a regulator 92 toprovide the operating voltage required by the other components 100/10/40as known in the industry, though in some embodiments, some or allcomponents are powered directly by the battery 90 without anyregulation. The micro-controller 100 is interfaced to a display 10 asknown in the industry through a direct, serial, or parallel interface.

The output device 10 is shown as a display 10 as an example of an outputdevice. Any suitable output device 10 is anticipated such as a TNdisplay (twisted nematic), STN display (super-twisted nematic), LEDdisplay, or TFT display (thin film transistor), etc. In alternateembodiments, the output device 10 is an audio output device. It isdesired that the display consume as little power as possible to maintainmaximum battery life. Although many display configurations are possible(e.g. dot-matrix, 13-segment, bar-graph, discrete LEDs, etc.), amulti-digit, seven-segment display is shown in the examples, being lowcost and very good at displaying numerical data such as the urinator'sscore.

Although not required, a status indicator 60/62 such as an LED 60 withcurrent-limiting resistor 62 is provided in some embodiments. Thisoptional status indicator 60/62 is illuminated in various ways toindicate normal operation, failure and/or low-battery. For example, aflash every 3 seconds indicates normal operation, a flash every 10seconds indicates low battery and no flash indicates a dead battery orother failure.

A sensor 30 is interface to the micro-controller 100 as known in theindustry. In this example, an amplifier 40 conditions the signal fromthe sensor 30 and provides a voltage value to the micro-controlleranalog-to-digital converter input port (ADC). This is but an example ofa way to sense a value from a sensor 30 as there are many ways known inthe industry, all of which are included here within. The sensor 30 isany sensor 30 known in the industry that is capable of detecting thestart, continuation and stop of a liquid flow, in particular a urineflow. The types of sensors 30 include, but are not limited to, pressuresensors, Hall Effect sensors, strain gauges, etc. For example, a magnetis attached to a target surface that is urged away from a base by aspring. A Hall Effect sensor 30 is attached to the base in proximity tothe magnet. When a flow of liquid (urine) hits the target surface, thespring is compressed and the magnet moves closer to the Hall Effectsensor 30 and the signal from the Hall Effect sensor 30 is proportionalto the force of the flow of the liquid. As will be shown later, aprogram running in/on the micro-controller 100 uses the length of timeand/or the force of the flow to determine a score that is displayed onthe display 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D an exemplary target system will bedescribed. Although many different physical embodiments are anticipated,there are at least two basic categories of enclosures. Once category isa monolithic enclosure in which the sensor 30 and display 10 are housedwithin the same walls (see FIGS. 6A-6D). Although this category ofenclosure works fine, it is sometimes difficult to read the display 10during urination since the flow of urine is directed in the area of thedisplay. Another category is a bifurcated housing as shown in FIGS. 2A,2B, 2C and 2D. In this, the display 10 is housed within one set of walls8 and the sensor 30 in another set of walls 36/36 and the housings8/36/38 are connected by a bridge 14 or cable (not shown) to physicallyand electrically link the sensor 30 with the rest of themicro-controller 100. It is also anticipated that in some embodiments,the display housing 8 is not physically connected to the sensor housing36/38 and the sensor 30 communicates with the micro-controller 100 by awireless signal, though this embodiment may require greater batterycapacity because two batteries are required and greater amounts of powerare required to transmit/receive the wireless signal.

In the exemplary housing of FIGS. 2A-2D, the display housing 8 containsthe battery 90, the display 10 and the electronics, preferably mountedon a circuit board 12. The display housing 8 is made of any suitablematerial such as plastic or metal. The display housing 8 has atransparent or translucent window on an outward surface so that thedisplay 10 is visible.

The sensor 30 is housed within the target housing 36/38. How and wherethe sensor 30 is mounted is dependent upon the type of sensor 30. Inthis example, a Hall Effect sensor 30 is shown mounted to a back wall ofthe base 30 of the target housing 36/38. A magnet 32 is mounted in thetarget cover 36. The target cover 36 is movably attached to the targetbase 38 and is urged outwardly away from the target base 38 by a spring34. Preferably, an outer surface of a front wall of the target cover 36has a printed target graphic 42 that is visible for the urinator to takeaim. As urine flows onto the target cover 36, pressure from the flow ofurine against the front wall of the target cover 36 counteracts theforce of the spring 34 and the magnet 32 moves closer to the Hall Effectsensor 30, resulting in an electrical change across the sensor 30. Thesensor 30 is interfaced to the micro-controller 100 by wires runningthrough the bridge 14. The micro-controller 100 determines the pressureand flow length from the electrical change and determines a score valuethat is then displayed on the display 10.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the display housing 8 is affixed to a front facingwall 1 of a urinal by, for example, an adhesive or double sided tape 17.In some embodiments, the adhesive or double sided tape 17 provides aremovable adhesion to enable removal of the entire target system forcleaning and battery replacement. In this embodiment, the targetgraphics 42 is a printed sheet that is located between the target cover36 and a transparent or translucent cap 39. The cap 39 protects thetarget graphics 42 from damage from the flow of urine 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2D, the target graphics 42 is a printedsheet that adheres to the target cover 36. In this, the target graphics42 is made of a material that resists degradation due to exposure to theurine 3. For example, the target graphics 42 has a clear-coat layer thatprotects the target graphics 42 from damage from the flow of urine 3. Inanother example, the target graphics 42 is printed on a label with anadhesive backing and then the label with the target graphics 42 isaffixed to the target cover and then a self-adhesive clear-coat layer isaffixed over the target graphics 42 to reduce damage from the flow ofurine 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary block diagram of typical urinal targetsystem 5 will be described. Although it is possible to fabricate theurinal target system 5 from logic gates, etc, it is preferred to utilizea controller, microcontroller, etc. A typical controller includes acentral processor 100 having memory 120 and program/data storage 125connected to the controller 100 by a memory bus 115. Any type of memory120 and program/data storage 125 is anticipated including static RAM,dynamic RAM and various types of persistent memory such as ROM, EPROM,EEPROM, FLASH, etc.

A program is initially stored in the program/data storage 125 andinitializes operation when power is applied to the urinal target system5. The program reads the urine pressure from a sensor 30 and,optionally, a status of a reset switch 60 through an input port or ports142. The program writes to the display 10 through an output port orports 140. In some embodiments, a power/status indicator LED 60 ispresent and the program writes to the indication LED 60 through anoutput port 140. In such, the power/status indicator LED is controlledby software and indicates status such as the urinal target system 5 ispowered and/or operational. For example, the power/status indicator LEDis controlled to blink on periodically for short periods of time tosignal that the internal battery 90 has sufficient capacity and theurinal target system is operational. Any other indication scheme isanticipated such as blinking at different rates to signal a low battery,using multiple-color LEDs, of which one color indicates a good statusand another color indicates a low battery, etc.

In some embodiments, the input ports 142 and output ports 140 areconnected to the central processing unit 100 by a bus 130 (e.g. SPI bus,etc) as known in the industry.

Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary flow chart of the target system willbe described. This program begins when power is applied to the urinaltarget system 5, for example when the battery 90 is connected. Thedisplay 10 is initialized 200. Depending upon the type of display, ifthe display has a low-power mode, the initialization 200 includesentering the low-power mode which, in some display systems 10 blanks thedisplay 10 (e.g. no digits are displayed).

Next, the program reads 201 the sensor 30 to determine if a flow ofurine 3 is in progress. Flow of urine is determined, for example, byreading the sensor 30 and determining if the force of the flow of urine3 is greater than a predetermined threshold (THR) which, in someembodiments is any pressure greater than zero. If no flow of urine 3 isdetected 202, the program loops 201/202 until flow is detected 202 (e.g.urine has started hitting the target). The program now resets scoringvariables 204, in this example, delta-time (DT) which represents theamount of time that urine pressure continually hits the target cover 36.The display 10 is now set to display all zeros 206.

Now the program enters a loop to measure the time and force of the urineflow 3. In this example, the program reads 207 the sensor 30 todetermine if the flow of urine 3 is still in progress. Again, flow ofurine 3 is determined, for example, by reading the sensor 30 anddetermining if the force of the flow of urine 3 is greater than apredetermined threshold (THR) which, in some embodiments is any pressuregreater than zero. If a continuation of flow of urine 3 is detected 208,the delta time (DT) is incremented 210 and a score is calculated basedupon a function of the force (F) of the flow of urine 3 and/or thedelta-time (DT) and the score is displayed 212 on the display 10. Foreach loop, the optional reset switch is checked 214 and if pressed, theprogram exits the loop and reinitialized 200. If no reset 222, theprogram repeats the loop 207/208/210/212/220/222/224. In someembodiments, a fixed delay is inserted in the loop to add proportion todelta-time (DT). For example, a one-second delay is inserted in the loopbefore reading the sensor 207 and, therefore, delta-time (DT) representsthe number of seconds that the flow of urine 3 continues.

Once the flow of urine 3 falls below the threshold (THR) 208, a shortloop 220/222/224/226 provides hysteresis, for example, if the urinatorveers the flow of urine 3 away from the target for a short duration. Theloop 220/222/224/226 begins with setting a timer 220 which, in someembodiments, is an initialization of a variable to a preset value (e.g.zero). In other embodiments, the timer is a hardware time of theprocessor 100. The timer is checked 222 to see if it has expired (e.g.reached a terminal count or the hardware timer expired). If the timerhas expired 222, the program resets 200 (e.g. it has been surmised thatthe flow of urine 3 is stopped). If the timer has not expired 222, forembodiments utilizing a counter to perform the timing function, thetimer is incremented (or decremented, etc.) and the program reads 224the sensor 30 to determine if the flow of urine 3 is still in progress.Again, flow of urine 3 is determined, for example, by reading the sensor30 and determining 226 if the force of the flow of urine 3 is greaterthan a predetermined threshold (THR) which, in some embodiments is anypressure greater than zero. If the force of the flow of urine 3 is stillnot greater than a predetermined threshold (THR), the hysteresis loopcontinues 222/224/226 until either the timer expires 222 or it isdetermined 226 that the force of the flow of urine 3 becomes greaterthan a predetermined threshold (THR), at which time the display loop isre-entered to display the score 212.

Again, this is an example of one embodiment of a program that monitorsthe force of a flow of urine 3 and converts the force and/or length oftime of the flow of urine 3 into a score.

The scoring function 212 is any function that provides a score valuethat is proportional to either a length of time (delta-time or DT) ofthe flow of urine 3, force of the flow of urine 3 (F) or both. Forexample, one exemplary scoring function 212 provides a score value thatis equal to the length of time (DT) plus the force (F). So, as long asthe urinator hits the target, the score continues to increase (e.g.delta-time increases) and if the urinator provides a high force, ahigher force value is added or, in some examples, if the urinatorprovides a low force, a higher value is added to the score value. Thelatter provides an incentive to the urinator to control the flow to alower force, thereby reducing splashing.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary flow chart of an order, delivery andinstallation of the typical target system is shown. This method of doingbusiness starts with receiving an order 300 as known in the industry.For example, an order is placed by a user through an Internet web pageas known in the industry. Next, a payment is accepted 304 also as knownin the industry. For example, a payment is made with a credit card,debit card, paypal, etc., by a user through an Internet web page asknown in the industry, preferably with a secure connection to reduceidentity theft. If the payment fails 308, for example, the user entersan invalid credit card number, the system loops back 304/308.

Once a valid payment is made 308, a kit is shipped to the user 312. Thekit includes the target system along with labels 43 (see FIG. 7) andoptionally, label creation software. Although any number of labels 43 ispossible, it is anticipated that a sheet of labels 41 (see FIG. 7) isprovided allowing for mistakes and later changes to the target graphic42. The user prints whatever graphics 42 are desired 314 on the labels43. Although not required, it is anticipated that the user has access tosoftware (e.g. web-based) or is delivered software that uploads, cropsand positions the graphics 42 (e.g. images) appropriately for the sheetof labels 41. The user then prints the label(s) using, for example, astandard color printer. Once the user is happy with a printed label 43,the user assembles the target device with the printed label 43, forexample affixing the label 43 on the front surface of the target deviceor placing the label beneath a clear or translucent cap 39 thenconnecting the cap 39 to the cover 36 of the target device. Once thegraphics 42 is properly secured to the cover 36, the target device ismounted 322 to the urinal 1 or toilet 2 (see FIG. 6C).

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, a second exemplary target systemwill be described. In this example, the target housing 36/38 has amounting tab 24/25 for mounting to the inside toilet bowl surface. Theangle between the sections 24/25 of the mounting tab 24/25 holds thetarget system outwardly away from the inside surface of the toilet bowl.

In electronic embodiments, a sensor 30 (not shown in FIGS. 6A-6D) ishoused within the target housing 36/38. How and where the sensor 30 ismounted is dependent upon the type of sensor 30. Preferably, the targetcover 36 has a printed target graphic 42 that is visible for theurinator to take aim. As urine flows onto the target cover 36, pressurefrom the flow of urine counteracts the force of the spring 34 and thesensor 30 converts the urine pressure into an electrical signal that isinterfaced to the micro-controller 100. The micro-controller 100determines the pressure and flow length and determines a score that isthen displayed on the display 10 (not shown in FIGS. 6A-6D). Note thatwhen electronic scoring circuitry is included in embodiments similar tothose shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, it is anticipated that the pressure signalfrom the sensor 30 is wirelessly transmitted to another enclosurehousing the processor and display, an alternate/small display 10 isintegrated into the cover 36, or an alternate scoring output isutilized. An example of an alternate/small display 10 is a blinking LEDin which the LED blinks faster when the score value is higher or the LEDchanges color and/or blinks dependent upon the score value. Anotherexample of an alternate/small display 10 is a single digit seven-segmentdisplay which displays a score value of from 0 to 9 but, in someembodiments, is sequenced to indicate even higher score values. Forexample, the outer 6 segments of a single digit display 10 are sequencedto indicate a score higher than 9. An example of an alternate scoringoutput is an audible sound emitter such as a Piezo sound transducer thatemits a beep and the period and/or frequency of the beep changesproportional to the score value.

As shown in FIG. 6D, the target mounting tab 24/25 is affixed to a frontfacing inner wall 2 of a toilet by, for example, an adhesive or doublesided tape 17, thereby holding the target outwardly from the surface 2of the toilet bowl. In some embodiments, the adhesive or double sidedtape 17 provides a removable adhesion to enable removal of the entiretarget system for cleaning and battery replacement. In this embodiment,the target graphics 42 is a printed sheet that is located between thetarget cover 36 and a transparent or translucent cap 39. The cap 39protects the target graphics 42 from damage from the flow of urine 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6C, the target graphics 42 is a printedsheet that adheres to the target cover 36. In this, the target graphics42 is made of a material that resists degradation due to exposure to theurine 3. For example, the target graphics 42 has a clear-coat layer thatprotects the target graphics 42 from damage from the flow of urine 3. Inanother example, the target graphics 42 is printed on a label with anadhesive backing and then the label with the target graphics 42 isaffixed to the target cover and then a self-adhesive clear-coat layer isaffixed over the target graphics 42 to reduce damage from the flow ofurine 3.

Referring to FIG. 7, printed labels 43 of a typical target system areshown. The exemplary printed labels 43 are on a sheet 41. Fordescription purposes, four individual labels 43 are shown printed withthe same target graphics 42, though any graphical content areanticipated as created and/or provided by the end user. It isanticipated that, in some embodiments, the end user is provided with alibrary of sample target graphics 42. It is also anticipated thatsoftware is provided or made available (e.g. Internet-based) to the enduser that accepts an image file and crops/adjusts the image for printingon one or more of the labels 43. In this, the end user is free to placeany graphics 42 on their own private target system.

Referring to FIGS. 8A, and 8B, a third exemplary target system will bedescribed. In this example, a first end of the target housing 36 a/38 ais movably held together by a hinge 107 that is formed, for example, bya slot in the target cover 36 a holding a protrusion of the target base38 a. At the other end of the target housing 36 a/38 a is a longer slot111 in the target cover 36 a holding a second protrusion 109 of thetarget base 38 a. The longer slot 111 allows for lateral movement of theprotrusion 109 with respect to the target cover 36 a. A spring 105 orother resilient member 105 urges the target cover 36 a away from thetarget base 38 a until counteracted, for example by the force of a flowof urine.

In this example, the sensor 30 is interfaced to a circuit board 101 thatalso holds the processor 100 and display 10. Mounting of the sensor 30is mounted is dependent upon the type of sensor 30. In some examples,the target cover 36 a has a printed target graphic 42 that is visiblefor the urinator to take aim. As urine flows onto the target cover 36 a,pressure from the flow of urine counteracts the force of the spring 105and the target cover 36 a is forced closer to the target base 38 a. Thisbrings the magnet 32 closer to the Hall Effect sensor 30. The HallEffect sensor 30 converts the urine pressure into an electrical signalthat is interfaced to the micro-controller 100. The micro-controller 100determines a score based upon either the pressure and/or a flow length(e.g. the length of time of urination). The score is then displayed onthe display 10, visible through a window 15 in the target cover 36 a.Note that when electronic scoring circuitry is included in embodimentssimilar to those shown in Although a numeric display 10 is shown, anyother output device is anticipated such as a blinking LED in which theLED blinks faster when the score value is higher or the LED changescolor and/or blinks dependent upon the score value. Another example ofan alternate/small display 10 is a single digit seven-segment displaywhich displays a score value of from 0 to 9 but, in some embodiments, issequenced to indicate even higher score values. For example, the outer 6segments of a single digit display 10 are sequenced to indicate a scorehigher than 9. An example of another alternate scoring output is anaudible sound emitter such as a Piezo sound transducer that emits a beepand the period and/or frequency of the beep changes proportional to thescore value.

It is anticipated, that the electronics, sensor and/or battery aresealed or potted to reduce or prevent contamination from urine.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above suchthat they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially thesame way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of itsattendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. Itis also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may bemade in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereofwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or withoutsacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein beforedescribed being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. Itis the intention of the following claims to encompass and include suchchanges.

What is claimed is:
 1. A urinal target system comprising: a base memberhaving at least a back wall; a cover member, the cover member having atleast a front wall, the cover member is movably interfaced to the basemember and the cover member is urged away from the base member by aresilient member such that a force directed upon the front wall of thecover member counteracts the resilient member, moving the cover membercloser to the base member; and a target graphics on an outside surfaceof the front wall of the cover member; whereas the base member isinterfaced to a wall of a toilet/urinal and the target graphics is atarget for a person urinating.
 2. The urinal target system of claim 1,wherein the target graphics is printed on a label and the label isaffixed to the outside surface of the front wall of the cover member. 3.The urinal target system of claim 1, wherein the target graphics isprinted on a label and the label is inserted between the outside surfaceof the front wall of the cover member and a non-opaque cap whereas thenon-opaque cap connects with the cover member, covers the label, andreduces exposure of the label to the flow of the urine.
 4. The urinaltarget system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor, the sensorcoupled to the urinal target system such that the sensor detects theforce and the sensor converts the force into an electrical signal, theelectrical signal being proportional to the force of the flow of theurine.
 5. The urinal target system of claim 4, further comprising aprocessor and display, the processor electrically interfaced to thesensor such that the processor receives the electrical signal andsoftware running on the processor calculates a score value that is afunction of the force of the flow of the urine and the processordisplays the score value on the display.
 6. The urinal target system ofclaim 4, further comprising a processor and display, the processorelectrically interfaced to the sensor such that the processor receivesthe electrical signal and software running on the processor calculates ascore value that is a function of the force of the flow of the urine anda length of time of the flow of the urine, and the processor displaysthe score value on the display.
 7. The urinal target system of claim 4,wherein the sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor affixed to the basemember and a magnet affixed to an inside surface of the cover member;the Hall Effect sensor converts a magnetic field strength of the magnetinto the electrical signal such that, as the cover member moves closerto the base member due to the force, the magnet moves closer to the HallEffect sensor, thereby increasing the magnetic field strength around theHall Effect sensor and changing the electrical signal proportional tothe force.
 8. A method of improving aim of a person that is urinating,the method comprising the steps of: (a) directing the flow of the urinetowards a urinal target system, the urinal target system interfaced to aurinal, the urinal target system comprising: a base member having atleast a back wall; a cover member, the cover member having at least afront wall, the cover member is movably interfaced to the base memberand the cover member is urged away from the base member by a resilientmember such that a flow of urine applies a force to an outside surfaceof the front wall of the cover member thereby the force counteracts thespring, moving the front wall of the cover member closer to the backwall of the base member; a sensor, the sensor coupled to the urinaltarget system such that the sensor detects the force from the flow ofthe urine and the sensor converts the force into an electrical signal,the electrical signal being proportional to the force of the flow of theurine; a processor electrically interfaced to the sensor such that theprocessor receives the electrical signal; (b) software running on theprocessor calculating a score value that is a function of at least theforce of the flow of the urine; (c) the software running on theprocessor displaying the score value on a display that is coupled to theprocessor; and (d) Repeating steps (b) and (c) until the force of theflow of the urine abates.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the scorevalue is also a function of a length of time that the flow of the urinehits the cover member.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprisingafter step (d), the step of (e) the software running on the processordelaying for a period of time and then the software running on theprocessor blanking the display.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein thesensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor affixed to the base member and amagnet that is affixed to an inside surface of the cover member; theHall Effect sensor converts a magnetic field strength of the magnet intothe electrical signal such that as the cover member moves closer to thebase member due to the force from the flow of the urine the magnet movescloser to the Hall Effect sensor, thereby increasing the magnetic fieldstrength around the Hall Effect sensor and changing the electricalsignal proportional to the force of the flow of the urine.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, wherein a target graphics is printed on a label andthe label is affixed to the outside surface of the front wall of thecover member.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein a target graphics isprinted on a label and the label is inserted between the outside surfaceof the front wall of the cover member and a non-opaque cap interfaced tothe cover member, whereas the non-opaque cap covers the label therebyreducing exposure of the label to the flow of the urine.
 14. A urinaltarget system comprising: a cover member; means for resilientlysupporting the cover member from a wall of a toilet/urinal; means formeasuring a force from a flow of urine applied to the cover member;means for calculating a signal as a function of the force; and means foroutputting the signal.
 15. The urinal target system of claim 14, whereinthe cover member includes a front wall, a target graphics is printed ona label and the label is affixed to an outside surface of the frontwall.
 16. The urinal target system of claim 14, wherein the means formeasuring the force converts the force into an electrical signal, theelectrical signal being proportional to the force of the flow of theurine.
 17. The urinal target system of claim 17, wherein the means forcalculating the signal is also a function of a time that the forcepersists.
 18. The urinal target system of claim 14, wherein the meansfor outputting the signal is a display.
 19. The urinal target system ofclaim 18, wherein the display is a numeric display.
 20. The urinaltarget system of claim 14, wherein the means for outputting the signalis a sound transducer.